Argument between New Kent restaurant owners leads to felony charges

Sheng Jie Jin

A New Kent County man faces three felony charges in the aftermath of an alleged assault on a pair of family members Tuesday night outside a local Chinese restaurant.

Sheng Jie Jin, 41, of the 2700 block of Patriots Landing Dr., Quinton, is charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of destruction of property stemming from the alleged incident involving the suspect’s estranged wife, Yue Yun Zheng, and the suspect’s brother-in-law, Xue Ying Gao, who is from Wisconsin.

The suspect and his wife are the owners of Panda Garden restaurant where the alleged incident took place, and apparently are involved in separation or divorce proceedings, said New Kent Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin.

In a sheriff’s office report, McLaughlin said deputies and fire personnel responded to a 9:20 p.m. call concerning a vehicle impacting the rear of the restaurant, which is located in the New Kent Crossing Shopping Center, 2595 New Kent Highway (Route 249) in Quinton. Upon arrival, first responders found damage to the building along with the alleged victims.

Using a “language line” that supplies an interpreter, deputies interviewed those involved, McLaughlin said. According to the sheriff’s office report, the suspect demanded money from his estranged wife, prompting an argument to ensue inside the restaurant. The suspect followed as the alleged victims attempted to escape outside.

The suspect allegedly struck the pair with his car before grabbing a hammer from inside the vehicle and using the tool to allegedly strike his wife. Witnesses outside the restaurant came to the wife’s rescue, ending the alleged attack and detaining the suspect until deputies arrived, McLaughlin said, adding that the incident took place after the restaurant had closed.

Rescue personnel transported the wife and brother-in-law to a local trauma center for treatment of serious injuries. Both remain hospitalized.

Detective Sgt. Farrar Howard III arrested the suspect on the charges. The suspect is being held in Henrico Jail East without bond.

Fire personnel, meanwhile, attended to propane tanks dislodged when the vehicle struck the rear of the building. No fire resulted, but the building sustained damage.